Official Statistics

Community Life Survey 2023/24: Civic engagement and social action

Published 4 December 2024

Applies to England

1. Civic participation

Civic participation is defined in the Community Life Survey as engagement in democratic processes, both in person and online, including contacting a local official (such as a local councillor or MP), signing a petition, or attending a public rally (excludes voting).   The 2023/24 data tables provide estimates of the proportion of adults engaging in each of these types of participation in the last 12 months.  This section summarises the findings for the proportion of adults engaging in any form of civic participation in the last 12 months.

1.1 Headline findings

In 2023/24:

33% of adults engaged in some form of civic participation at least once in the last 12 months, in line with levels in 2021/2022 (34%). 

As shown in Figure 1.1, this is a decrease from levels in 2019/20 and 2020/21 (both 41%).

Figure 1.1: Percentage of adults (16+) taking part in civic participation at least once in the last 12 months, England: 2013/14 to 2023/24 (Base: All adults)

1.2 Who engaged in civic participation?

Age

There was a lot of variation in the level of engagement in civic participation between adults of different ages, for example adults aged 35 to 49 (37%) and 65 to 74 (36%) were more likely than adults from all other age groups to have engaged in civic participation at least once in the last 12 months. Adults aged 75 and over (26%) and 16 to 24 (28%) were less likely than all other age groups to have engaged in civic participation.

Disability Status

Disabled adults were more likely to have engaged in civic participation at least once in the last 12 months (37%) than non-disabled adults (33%).

Sex

Female adults were more likely to have engaged in civic participation at least once in the last 12 months than male adults (35% vs 32% respectively).

Gender Identity ^{[footnote 1]}

Adults whose gender identity was different from their sex registered at birth were more likely to have engaged in civic participation activities at least once in the last 12 months (56%) than those whose gender identity was the same as their sex registered at birth (33%).

Sexual Orientation

Heterosexual or straight adults (34%) were less likely to have engaged in civic participation at least once in the last 12 months than gay or lesbian adults (48%), bisexual adults (51%) or adults in the ‘other’ sexual orientation classification (51%).  

Religion

There was a lot of variation in the proportion of adults from different religious groups that engaged in civic participation, for example Hindu (24%) and Sikh (27%) adults were less likely than adults from all other religious groups presented here (and non-religious adults) to have engaged in civic participation at least once in the last 12 months (32% to 54%). Adults of ‘any other’ religious group (54%) and Jewish adults (52%) were more likely than adults from all other religious groups presented here to have engaged in civic participation. Additionally, Christian adults (32%) and non-religious adults (35%) were less likely to have engaged in civic participation at least once in the last 12 months than Buddhist and Muslim adults (41% and 39% respectively).

Ethnicity ^{[footnote 2]}

Compared with the England average (33%), engagement in civic participation was higher for adults from the ‘any other’ mixed or multiple ethnic background (50%), Gypsy or Irish Traveller (45%), Irish (44%), Bangladeshi (40%), Pakistani (40%), mixed White and Asian (39%) ethnic groups and adults from ‘any other’ ethnic group (38%). Adults from the Chinese (23%), Indian (27%) and ‘any other’ Asian background (28%) ethnic groups were less likely to have engaged in civic participation than the England average.

Socio-economic classification

Adults from higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations (43%) were more likely to have engaged in civic participation at least once in the last 12 months than adults from all other socio-economic classifications (35% to 28%) presented here. Adults from the intermediate occupations (35%) classification were more likely to have engaged in civic participation than adults in the routine and manual operations (26%) and the never worked and long-term unemployed (28%) classifications.

Index of multiple deprivation^{[footnote 3]}

There was some variation in the proportion of adults from different index of multiple deprivation deciles that engaged in civic participation, for example adults from the lowest decile (the most deprived) reported lower levels of civic participation at least once in the last 12 months (27%) compared with adults from all other deciles (31% to 36%). Adults in the highest decile (least deprived) reported higher levels of engagement in civic participation at least once in the last 12 months (36%) than the six lowest (most deprived) deciles (27% to 34%).

Population density

Adults from rural areas were more likely to have engaged in civic participation at least once in the last 12 months than adults from urban areas (35% and 33% respectively).

1.3 Geographical findings

Regional differences

When compared with the England average (33%), adults in the North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands and West Midlands ITL1 regions reported lower levels of engagement in civic participation at least once in the last 12 months (29% to 32%). Adults in the London (38%), South East and South West (both 35%) ITL1 regions reported higher levels of engagement in civic participation at least once in the last 12 months than the national average.

Local Authority differences^{[footnote 4]}

Levels of civic participation at least once in the last 12 months were in line with the England average (33%) for adults in 200 (68%) local authorities, higher than the England average in 45 (16%) local authorities, and lower than the England average in 50 (17%) local authorities, although some of these differences were small. 

In general, the patterns of engagement in civic participation at the regional level are also observed at the local authority (LA) level. However, there are a number of exceptions: 

Levels of engagement in civic participation were lower than the England average in the North West (32%) ITL1 region, but higher than the England average in the North West local authorities of Westmorland and Furness (39%) and Cheshire East (37%).

Levels of engagement in civic participation were lower than the England average in the Yorkshire and the Humber (32%) ITL1 region, but higher than the England average in the Yorkshire and the Humber local authority of York (39%).

Levels of engagement in civic participation were lower than the England average in the East Midlands (31%) ITL1 region, but higher than the England average in the East Midlands local authorities of High Peak (44%) and Rutland (40%).

Levels of engagement in civic participation were lower than the England average in the West Midlands (30%) ITL1 region, but higher than the England average in the West Midlands local authority of Malvern Hills (44%).

Levels of engagement in civic participation were higher than the England average in the South East (35%) ITL1 region, but lower than the England average in the South East local authorities of Havant (26%), Bracknell Forest (28%), Maidstone (28%), Dartford (28%) and Medway (29%).

Figure 1.2: Engagement in civic participation in the last 12 months, by region and local authority, England: 2023/24 (Base: All adults)

2. Civic consultation

Civic consultation is defined in the survey as taking part in a consultation about local services or problems in the local area through completing a questionnaire, attending a public meeting or being involved in a face-to-face or online group. The 2023/24 data tables provide estimates of the proportion of adults engaging in each of these consultation activities in the last 12 months.  This section summarises the findings for the proportion of adults engaging in any form of civic consultation in the last 12 months.

2.1 Headline findings

In 2023/24:

18% of adults engaged in civic consultation at least once in the last 12 months, in line with levels in 2021/22 (also 18%) and is broadly in line with levels since the survey was first conducted using a push-to-web format in 2013/14 (16% to 21%) (see Figure 2.1).

Figure 2.1: Percentage of adults (16+) taking part in civic consultation at least once in the last 12 months, England: 2013/14 to 2023/24 (Base: All adults)

2.2 Who engaged in civic consultation?

Age

There was some variation in the level of engagement in civic consultation between adults of different age, for example adults aged 65 to 74 (22%) were more likely to have engaged in civic consultation at least once in the last 12 months than all other age groups, except for adults aged 35 to 49 (21%). Adults aged 16 to 24 (14%) were less likely to have engaged in civic consultation at least once in the last 12 months than all other age groups (16% to 22%). Adults aged 25 to 34 (16%) reported lower levels of civic consultation than those aged 35 to 74 (20% to 22%).

Disability Status

Disabled adults (20%) were slightly more likely to have engaged in civic consultation at least once in the last 12 months than non-disabled adults (19%).

Sex

Male adults (19%) were slightly more likely to have engaged in civic consultation at least once in the last 12 months than female adults (18%).

Gender identity ^{[footnote 1]}

Adults whose gender identity was different from their sex registered at birth (27%) were more likely to have engaged in civic consultation than those whose gender identity was the same as their sex registered at birth (18%).

Sexual Orientation

Heterosexual or straight adults (19%) were less likely to have engaged in civic consultation at least once in the last 12 months than gay or lesbian adults (26%), bisexual adults (23%) or adults in the ‘other’ sexual orientation classification (32%). Adults in the ‘other’ sexual orientation classification were more likely to have engaged than adults from all other sexual orientation classifications.

Religion

There was some variation in the proportion of adults from different religious groups that engaged in civic consultation, for example Buddhist and Jewish adults, and adults from ‘any other’ religious group (all 27%) were more likely to have engaged in civic consultation at least once in the last 12 months than adults from all other religious groups, and non-religious adults (15% to 22%). Muslim adults (22%) were more likely to have engaged in civic consultation than Christian, Hindu, and Sikh adults, and non-religious adults (15% to 19%).

Ethnicity^{[footnote 2]}

Compared with the England average (18%), levels of engagement in civic consultation were higher for adults from the ‘any other’ mixed or multiple ethnic background (28%), Irish (23%), ‘any other’ White background (22%), Bangladeshi (22%) and Black African (21%) ethnic groups. Adults from the mixed White and Black Caribbean (13%) and ‘any other’ Asian ethnic background (16%) ethnic groups were less likely to report that they engaged in civic consultation than the England average.

Socio-economic classification

Adults from higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations (24%) were more likely to have engaged in civic participation at least once in the last 12 months than adults from all other socio-economic classifications (13% to 18%). Adults from the routine and manual occupations classification (13%) were less likely to have engaged than adults from all other socio-economic classifications (18% to 24%).

Index of multiple deprivation^{[footnote 3]}

There was some variation in the level of engagement in civic consultation between adults from different index of multiple deprivation deciles, for example adults from the highest (the least deprived) decile (21%) were more likely to have engaged in civic consultation at least once in the last 12 months than adults in all other deciles, with the exception of adults from the third highest (third least deprived) decile (20%). Engagement in civic consultation at least once in the last 12 months in the lowest (the most deprived) decile (15%) was lower than levels of engagement in all other deciles (17% to 21%). 

Population density

Adults in rural areas (22%) were more likely to have engaged in civic consultation at least once in the last 12 months than those in urban areas (18%). 

2.3 Geographical findings

Regional differences

In line with the regional pattern for civic participation, levels of engagement in civic consultation at least once in the last 12 months were lower than the national average in the North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, and East and West Midlands ITL1 regions (15 to 17%), whilst engagement was higher in the London, South East and South West ITL1 regions (20% to 22%).

Local Authority differences^{[footnote 4]}

Engagement in civic consultation was in line with the England average for adults in 183 (62%) local authorities, higher than the England average in 54 (18%) local authorities, and lower than the England average in 59 (20%) local authorities. In general, the patterns of engagement in civic consultation at the regional level are also observed at the local authority level. However, there were some exceptions:

Levels of engagement in civic consultation were lower than the England average in the North West (16%) ITL1 region, but higher than the England average in the North West local authorities of Westmorland and Furness (22%) and Cheshire East (21%).

Levels of engagement in civic consultation were lower than the England average in the Yorkshire and the Humber (17%) ITL1 region, but higher than the England average in the Yorkshire and the Humber local authority of York (24%).

Levels of engagement in civic consultation were lower than the England average in the East Midlands (16%) ITL1 region, but higher than the England average in the East Midlands local authorities of Rutland (25%), Derbyshire Dales (24%) and Harborough (24%).

Levels of engagement in civic consultation were lower than the England average in the West Midlands (16%) ITL1 region, but higher than the England average in the West Midlands local authority of Malvern Hills (23%).

Levels of engagement in civic consultation were higher than the England average in the South East (20%) ITL1 region, but lower than the England average in the South East local authorities of Crawley (12%), Fareham (13%), Bracknell Forest (13%), Medway (13%), Maidstone (14%), Hastings (14%) and Dartford (14%).

Levels of engagement in civic consultation were higher than the England average in the South West (20%) ITL1 region but lower than the England average in the South West local authorities of Gloucester (12%) and Torridge (14%).

Figure 2.2: Engagement in civic consultation in the last 12 months, by region and Local Authority, England: 2023/24 (Base: All adults)

3. Civic activism

Civic activism is defined in the survey as involvement in local community roles such as being a local councillor, school governor, volunteer special constable or magistrate (for those aged 18 or over). Civic activism also includes involvement, either in person or online, in decision making groups in the local area. Examples of this are a tenants’ association, groups making decisions about local health or education services, or groups set up to either regenerate a local area or address issues such as crime.  The 2023/24 data tables provide estimates on the proportion of adults engaging in each of these types of activity in the last 12 months.  This section summarises the findings for the proportion of adults engaging in any form of civic activism in the last 12 months.

3.1 Headline findings

In 2023/24:

8% of adults had engaged in civic activism at least once in the last 12 months, an increase from 7% in both 2020/21 and 2021/22. This result is generally in line with levels of engagement in civic activism since 2016/17 (8%).

Figure 3.1: Percentage of adults (16+) taking part in civic activism at least once in the last 12 months, England: 2013/14 to 2023/24 (Base: All adults)

3.2 Who engaged in civic activism?

Age

There was some variation in the proportion of adults of different ages that engaged in civic activism, for example adults aged 65 to 74 (10%) were more likely to have engaged in civic activism at least once in the last 12 months than adults from any other age group (6% to 8%). Adults aged 75 and over, and adults aged 35 to 49 (both 8%) reported higher levels of engagement in civic activism than adults aged 16 to 34 and 50 to 64. Adults aged 25 to 34 (6%) reported lower engagement than adults from all groups aged 35 and over.

Disability Status

Disabled adults (8%) were slightly more likely to have engaged in civic activism at least once in the last 12 months than non-disabled adults (8%).

Sex

There were no differences observed in engagement in civic activism at least once in the last 12 months between male and female adults.  

Gender identity ^{[footnote 1]}

There were no differences observed in engagement in civic activism at least once in the last 12 months between adults whose gender identity was different from their sex registered at birth and adults whose gender identity was the same as their sex registered at birth. 

Sexual Orientation

Heterosexual or straight adults (8%) were less likely to have engaged in civic activism at least once in the last 12 months than gay or lesbian adults (10%), bisexual adults (10%) or adults in the ‘other’ sexual orientation classification (19%). Adults in the ‘other’ sexual orientation classification were more likely to have engaged in civic activism than adults from all other sexual orientation classifications.

Religion

There was lots of variation in the proportion of adults from different religious groups that engaged in civic activism, for example Jewish adults (17%) were more likely to have engaged in civic activism at least once in the last 12 months than adults from all other religious groups (8% to 12%) and non-religious adults (6%), with the exception of Buddhist adults (15%). Non-religious adults  (6%) were less likely to have engaged in civic activism than adults from all other religious groups (8% to 17%), and Christian  adults (8%) were less likely than Hindu (12%), Muslim (12%), Buddhist (15%) and Jewish (17%) adults to have engaged in civic activism at least once in the last 12 months.

Ethnicity^{[footnote 2]}

Compared with the England average (8%), levels of engagement in civic activism were higher for adults from the Arab (18%), Bangladeshi (13%), mixed White and Asian (12%), Irish (11%), Black Caribbean (11%), Pakistani (10%), Black African (10%) and Indian (9%) ethnic groups. Adults from the ‘any other’ White background (7%) and White British ^{[footnote 5]} (7%) ethnic groups were less likely to have engaged in civic activism than the England average.

Socio-economic classification

Adults from the routine and manual operations classification (4%) were less likely to have engaged in civic activism at least once in the last 12 months than adults from all other socio-economic classifications (7% to 10%). Adults from the higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations (10%) and the never worked and long-term unemployed (10%) classifications were more likely to have engaged than adults from the intermediate occupations classification (7%).

Index of multiple deprivation^{[footnote 3]}

There was little variability in levels of civic activism between adults living in the different index of multiple deprivation deciles. However, adults living in the lowest (most deprived) decile (7%) were less likely to have engaged in civic activism at least once in the last 12 months compared with adults in the 7th, 8th and 10th (less deprived) deciles (all 8%). 

Population density

Adults living in rural areas (10%) were more likely to have engaged in civic activism at least once in the last 12 months than adults living in urban areas (7%).

3.3 Geographical findings

Regional differences

There was some variability in levels of civic activism by region. Figure 3.2 shows that levels of civic activism at least once in the last 12 months were slightly higher than the England average (8%) in the London ITL1 region (9%). Levels of civic activism were lower than the national average in the East Midlands, North East, North West, and West Midlands ITL1 regions (6% to 7%).

Local Authority differences^{[footnote 4]}

Levels of engagement in civic activism were in line with the England average for adults in 234 (77%) local authorities, higher than the England average in 31 (10%) local authorities, and lower than the England average in 31 (10%) local authorities, although some of these differences were small.

In general, the patterns of engagement in civic activism at the regional level are also observed at the local authority (LA) level. However, there are a number of exceptions:

Engagement in civic activism was lower than the England average in the North West (7%) ITL1 region, but higher than the England average in the North West local authority of Westmorland and Furness (11%).

Engagement in civic activism was lower than the England average in the East Midlands (7%) ITL1 region, but higher than the England average in the East Midlands local authorities of Rutland (11%) and West Northamptonshire (11%).

Engagement in civic activism was lower than the England average in the West Midlands (7%) ITL1 region, but higher than the England average in the West Midlands local authority of Stratford-on-Avon (11%).

Figure 3.2: Engagement in civic activism in the last 12 months, by region and Local Authority, England: 2023/24 (Base: All adults)

4. Civic engagement

Civic engagement is involvement in any civic participation, consultation, or activism at least once in the last 12 months, as defined in the earlier sections of this chapter.  This section covers participation in any of these civic activities at least once in the last 12 months.

4.1 Headline findings

In 2023/24:

41% of adults had engaged in either civic participation, consultation or engagement (any civic activities) at least once in the last 12 months (see figure 4.1). This is in line with levels of civic engagement in 2021/22 (42%). 

Figure 4.1: Percentage of adults (16+) taking part in civic participation, consultation or activism at least once in the last 12 months, England: 2013/14 to 2023/24 (Base: All adults)

4.2 Who engaged in any civic activities?

Age

Adults aged 16 to 24 and 75 and over (both 34%) were less likely than adults aged between 25 and 74 to have engaged in any civic activity at least once in the last 12 months. Adults aged 25 to 34 (41%) and 50 to 64 (42%) reported lower levels of civic engagement than adults aged 35 to 49 (45%) and 65 to 74 (44%).

Disability Status

Disabled adults (44%) were more likely to be involved in any civic activities at least once in the last 12 months than non-disabled adults (41%).

Sex

Female adults (42%) were more likely than male adults (39%) to have engaged in any civic activities at least once in the last 12 months.

Gender identity ^{[footnote 1]}

Adults whose gender identity was different from their sex registered at birth (61%) were more likely to have engaged in any civic activities at least once in the last 12 months than adults whose gender identity was the same as their sex registered at birth (41%). 

Sexual Orientation

Heterosexual or straight adults (42%) were less likely to have engaged in any civic activities at least once in the last 12 months than gay or lesbian adults (55%), bisexual adults (56%) and adults from the ‘other’ sexual orientation classification (59%). 

Religion

There was lots of variation in the proportion of adults from different religious groups that had engaged in civic activities, for example adults from ‘any other’ religious groups (60%) and Jewish adults (59%) were more likely than all adults from other religious groups and non-religious adults (33% to 48%) to have engaged in any civic activities at least once in the last 12 months. Hindu, Sikh (both 33%), and Christian (40%) adults were less likely to have engaged than adults from other religious groups and non-religious adults (41% to 60%).

Ethnicity^{[footnote 2]}

Compared with the England average (41%), the proportion of adults that reported that they had engaged in any civic activities was higher for adults from the ‘any other’ mixed or multiple ethnic background (57%), and adults from the Irish (50%), Pakistani (47%), mixed White and Asian (46%) and ‘any other’ White background (43%) ethnic groups. Adults from the Chinese (33%), Indian (34%) and ‘any other’ Asian background (36%) ethnic groups were less likely to report that they had engaged in civic activities than the England average.

Socio-economic classification

Adults from the higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations classification (51%) were more likely to have engaged in any civic activities at least once in the last 12 months than adults from the intermediate occupations (42%), the never worked and long-term unemployed (36%) and the routine and manual operations (32%) classifications. Adults from the intermediate occupations classification (42%) were more likely to have engaged in any civic activities than adults from the never worked and long-term unemployed (36%) and the routine and manual operations (32%) classifications. Adults from the routine and manual operations classification (32%) were less likely to have engaged in any civic activities at least once in the last 12 months than adults from all other socio-economic classifications (36% to 51%).  

Index of multiple deprivation^{[footnote 3]}

There was some variation in the proportion of adults from different index of multiple deprivation deciles that had engaged in civic activities, for example adults living in the highest (the least deprived) decile (44%), were more likely to have engaged in any civic activities at least once in the last 12 months than adults living in all other deciles, with the exception of those living in the third highest decile (43%). Adults from the lowest (the most deprived) decile (34%) reported lower levels of engagement in civic activities than adults living in all other deciles (38% to 44%).

Population density

Adults living in rural areas were more likely to have engaged in any civic activities at least once in the last 12 months (44%) than adults living in urban areas (40%).

4.3 Geographical findings

Regional differences

There was considerable regional variability in engagement in any civic activities in the last 12 months across England. Adults in the North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, and West Midlands ITL1 regions (36% to 39%) reported lower levels of engagement in any civic activities than the England average (41%) ; adults in the London (46%), the South East, and South West (both 42%) ITL1 regions reported higher levels of engagement than the national average.

Local Authority differences^{[footnote 4]}

Levels of engagement in any civic activities were in line with the England average (41%) in 186 (63%) local authorities, higher than the England average in 53 (18%) local authorities, and lower than the England average in 57 (19%) local authorities, although some of these differences were small. 

In general, the patterns of engagement in any civic activities at the regional level are also observed at the local authority (LA) level. However, there are a number of exceptions:

Engagement in any civic activities was lower than the England average in the North West (39%) ITL1 region, but higher than the England average in the North West local authorities of Westmorland and Furness (46%) and Cheshire East (45%).

Engagement in any civic activities was lower than average in civic activities in the Yorkshire and the Humber (39%) ITL1 region, but higher than the England average in the Yorkshire and Humber (39%) local authority of York (48%).

Engagement in any civic activities was lower than the England average in the East Midlands (38%) ITL1 region, but higher than the East Midlands local authorities of High Peak (51%), Rutland (48%), Harborough (48%) and Derbyshire Dales (46%).

Engagement in any civic activities was lower than the England average in the West Midlands (37%) ITL1 region, but higher than the England average in the West Midlands local authority of Malvern Hills (51%).

Engagement in any civic activities was higher than the England average in the South East (42%) ITL1 region, but lower than the England average in the South East regions of Havant (33%), Bracknell Forest (34%), Medway (34%) and Maidstone (35%).

Engagement in any civic activities was higher than the England average in the South West (42%) ITL1 region, but lower than the England average in the South West local authority of Gloucester (34%).

Figure 4.2: Engagement in any civic participation, consultation, or activism in the last 12 months, by region and local authority, England: 2023/24 (Base: All adults)

5. Influencing local decisions

5.1 Headline findings

In 2023/24:

23% of adults either definitely or tended to agree that they personally can influence decisions affecting their local area.

This represents a four percentage point decrease from levels reported 2021/22 (27%). Levels prior to 2021/22 had remained broadly stable since the Community Life Survey commenced push-to-web data collection in 2013/24.

Figure 5.1: Percentage of adults (16+) agreeing that they personally can influence decisions affecting their local area, England: 2013/14 to 2023/24 (Base: All adults)

5.2 Who agreed that they could personally influence decisions affecting their local area?

Age

There was some variation in the level of agreement in ability to influence local decisions between adults of different ages, for example agreement was higher amongst adults aged 35 to 49 (26%) than adults from all other age groups (22% to 23%). Adults aged 50 to 64 (23%) were more likely to agree that they could personally influence decisions affecting their local area than adults aged 25 to 34, and 75 and over (both 22%).

Disability Status

Disabled adults (20%) were more likely to agree that they can influence local decisions affecting their local area than non-disabled adults (25%).

Sex

Female adults were slightly less likely to agree that they can influence decisions affecting their local area than male adults (23% and 24% respectively).

Gender identity ^{[footnote 1]}

There were no differences observed in the proportion agreeing that they can influence decisions affecting their local area between adults whose gender identity was different from their sex registered at birth and adults whose gender identity was the same as their sex registered at birth.

Sexual Orientation

Bisexual adults (21%) were less likely to agree that they could personally influence decisions affecting their local area than heterosexual or straight adults (23%) and adults in the ‘other’ sexual orientation classification (26%).  

Religion

There was some variation in the level of agreement in ability to influence local decisions between adults from different religious groups, for example Christian adults and non-religious adults (25% and 20% respectively) were less likely to agree that they can influence decisions affecting their local area than adults from all other religious groups (29% to 37%). Muslim and Hindu adults (both 37%) were more likely to agree that they can influence decisions affecting their local area than Jewish adults (29%), adults from ‘any other’ religious group (29%), Christian adults (25%) and non-religious adults (20%).  

Ethnicity^{[footnote 2]}

Compared with the England average (23%), the proportion of adults that felt that they can influence decisions affecting their local area was higher for adults from the Black African (44%), ‘any other’ Asian background (34%), mixed White and Black African (34%), Black Caribbean (32%) and ‘any other’ White background (27%) ethnic groups. Adults from the White British ^{[footnote 4]} (21%) ethnic group were less likely to feel that they can influence decisions affecting their local area than the England average.

Socio-economic classification

Adults from the never worked and long-term unemployed classification (28%) were more likely to agree that they can influence decisions affecting their local area than adults from the higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations (25%), the intermediate occupations (21%), and the routine and manual operations (20%) classifications.  Adults from the higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations classification were more likely to agree that they can influence decisions affecting their local area than adults from the intermediate occupations and the routine and manual operations classifications. 

Index of multiple deprivation^{[footnote 3]}

There were no differences observed in levels of agreement in influencing decisions affecting the local area between adults living in the different deciles of deprivation.

Population density

Adults living in rural areas (25%) were more likely to agree that they could personally influence decisions affecting their local area than adults living in urban areas (23%).

5.3 Geographical findings

Regional differences

Figure 5.1 shows that the proportion of adults agreeing that they can personally influence decisions affecting their local area was higher than the national average (23%) for those living in the London ITL1 region (27%). Adults in the North East (20%) and the East Midlands (22%) ITL1 regions reported lower levels of agreement on this measure than the England average.

Local Authority differences^{[footnote 4]}

The proportion of adults that agreed they can influence decisions affecting their local area was in line with the England average for adults in 231 (78%) local authorities, higher than the England average in 29 (10%) local authorities, and lower than the England average in 36 (12%) local authorities, although some of these differences were small. 

In general, the patterns of agreement in being able to influence decisions affecting the local area at the regional level are also observed at the local authority (LA) level. However, there was one exception:

The proportion of adults that agreed they can personally influence decisions affecting their local area was lower than the England average in the East Midlands (22%) ITL1 region, but higher than the England average in the East Midlands local authority of Derbyshire Dales (31%).

Figure 5.2: Percentage of adults (16+) who agree they can personally influence decisions affecting their local area, by region and local authority, England: 2023/24 (Base: All adults)

6. Importance of being able to influence local decisions

Respondents were also asked how important or not they felt it was to be able to influence decisions affecting their local area.

6.1 Headline findings

In 2023/24:

50% of adults reported that it was “very important” or “quite important” to be able to influence decisions affecting their local area. 

This is a decrease of 3 percentage points from levels in 2021/22 (53%) and is the lowest level for this measure since push-to-web data collection began in 2013/14 (62%).

Figure 6.1: Percentage of adults (16+) reporting that it is important to be able to influence decisions affecting their local area, England: 2013/14 to 2023/24 (Base: All adults)

6.2 Who felt it was important to be able to influence decisions affecting their local areas?

Age

There was some variation in how important adults of different ages felt it was to be able to influence decisions affecting their local area, for example adults between the ages of 35 and 74 (54% to 56%) were more likely to feel it was important to be able to influence decisions affecting their local area compared with adults aged 16 to 24 (36%), 25 to 34, and 75 and over (both 45%).

Disability Status

There were no differences observed in the proportion of disabled and non-disabled adults reporting that it was important to be able to influence decisions affecting their local area.

Sex

There were no differences observed in the proportion of male and female adults reporting that it was important to be able to influence decisions affecting their local area.

Gender identity ^{[footnote 1]}

Adults whose gender identity differed from their sex registered at birth (57%) were more likely to feel that it was important to be able to influence decisions affecting their local area than adults whose gender identity was the same as their sex registered at birth (50%).

Sexual Orientation

Gay or Lesbian adults (56%) were more likely to feel it was important to be able to influence decisions affecting the local area than heterosexual or straight adults (51%) or bisexual adults (50%).  There were no other significant differences on this measure between adults from different sexual orientation classifications.

Religion

There was some variation in how important adults of different religious groups felt it was to be able to influence decisions affecting their local area, for example 46% of non-religious adults felt it was important to be able to influence decisions affecting their local area, lower than the proportion of adults from all religious groups (52% to 61%). Christian adults (52%) were less likely to feel that it was important to be able to influence decisions affecting their local area compared with adults from ‘any other’ religion (61%), and Jewish (59%) and Muslim (55%) adults.  

Ethnicity^{[footnote 2]}

Compared with the England average (50%), the proportion of adults that felt that it was important to be able to influence decisions affecting their local area was higher for adults from the Black African (62%), ‘any other’ mixed or multiple ethnic background (57%), Indian (57%), Arab (56%), Pakistani (55%) and ‘any other’ White background (53%) ethnic groups. Adults from the Gypsy or Irish Traveller (35%), Chinese (40%), mixed White and Black Caribbean (42%) and White British ^{[footnote 5]} (48%) ethnic groups were less likely to feel that it was important to be able to influence decisions affecting their local area than the England average.

Index of multiple deprivation^{[footnote 3]}

There was some variation between adults from different index of multiple deprivation deciles in the level of importance placed on being able to influence decisions affecting their local area, for example adults from the lowest (most deprived) decile (42%) were less likely to feel it is important to be able to influence decisions than adults from all other deciles (46% to 54%). Adults living in the highest (least deprived) decile (54%) were more likely to feel this than adults living in all other deciles, with the exception of adults living in the second-highest decile (53%).  

Population density

Adults living in rural areas (52%) were more likely to feel it is important to be able to influence decisions affecting their local area than adults living in urban areas (49%).

6.3 Geographical findings

Regional differences

Adults living in the London and the South East (55% and 51% respectively) ITL1 regions were more likely to feel it is important to be able to influence decisions affecting their local area compared with the England average (50%). Those in the North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands, and West Midlands (45% to 47%) ITL1 regions were less likely to say it was important than the England average.

Local Authority differences^{[footnote 4]}

 The proportion of adults that felt it is important to be able to influence decisions in the local area was in line with the England average in 211 (11%) local authorities, higher than the England average in 43 (15%) local authorities, and lower in 42 (14%) local authorities.

In general, the patterns observed in terms of the importance of being able to influence decisions in the local area at the regional level are also observed at the local authority (LA) level. However, there are some exceptions:

The proportion of adults that felt it is important to be able to influence decisions in the local area was lower than the England average in the West Midlands (47%) ITL1 region, but higher than the England average in the West Midlands local authority of Stratford-on-Avon (57%).

The proportion of adults that felt it is important to be able to influence decisions in the local area was higher than the England average in the South East (51%) ITL1 region, but lower than the England average in the South East local authority of Crawley (43%).

Figure 6.2: Levels of agreement that it is important to be able to influence decisions in the local area, by region and local authority, England: 2023/24 (Base: All adults)

7. Level of involvement in local decisions

Respondents were asked whether they would like to be more involved in decisions made by their council that affect their local area.

7.1 Headline findings

In 2023/24:

28% of adults said that they would like to be more involved in decisions made by their council that affect the local area, 20% said no, and 53% said it depends on the issue. These proportions are in line with those reported in 2021/22. 

Data prior to 2021/22 on this measure is not comparable due to a change in the way the question was presented in the survey. ^{[footnote 6]}

7.2 Who wanted more involvement in decisions affecting their local area?

Age

There was some variation in the proportion of adults who wanted to be more involved in decisions made by their council between adults of different ages, for example adults aged 35 to 49 (33%) and 25 to 34 (31%) wanted to be more involved in decisions made by their council that affect the local area than adults aged 50 to 64 (28%), 65 to 74 (26%), 16 to 24 (21%) and 75 and over (20%).

Disability Status

Disabled adults (29%) were slightly more likely to want to be more involved in decisions made by their council that affect the local area compared with non-disabled adults (28%).

Sex

Male adults wanted to be more involved in decisions made by their council that affect the local area (30% vs 26% of female adults).

Gender identity ^{[footnote 1]}

Adults whose gender identity was different from their sex registered at birth (36%) wanted to be more involved in decisions made by their council that affect their local area than those whose gender identity was the same as their sex registered at birth (28%).

Sexual Orientation

Gay or Lesbian adults (38%) were more likely to want to be more involved in decisions made by their council that affect the local area than adults from all other sexual orientation classifications (27% to 34%).  Heterosexual or straight adults (27%) were less likely to want to be involved in such decisions than adults from all other sexual orientation classifications (33% to 38%).  

Religion

There was some variation in the proportion of adults who wanted to be more involved in decisions made by their council between adults from different religious groups, for example non-religious adults (27%) and Christian adults (28%) were less likely to want to be more involved in decisions made by their council that affect the local area than adults from other religious groups (33% to 38%). 

Ethnicity^{[footnote 2]}

Compared with the England average (28%), the proportion of adults that wanted to be more involved in decisions made by their council that affect the local area was higher for adults from the Pakistani (37%), ‘any other’ mixed or multiple ethnic background (37%), ‘any other’ ethnic group (36%), Irish (35%), mixed White and Black African (35%), Indian (34%), ‘any other’ White background (33%) and Bangladeshi (33%) ethnic groups. Adults from the Chinese (21%) and White British ^{[footnote 5]} (26%) ethnic groups were less likely to report wanting to be more involved in decisions made by their council that affect the local area than the England average.

Socio-economic classification

Adults from the higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations (33%) were more likely to want to be more involved in decisions made by their council that affect the local area than adults from all other socio-economic classifications (22% to 25%). Adults from the intermediate occupations classification (25%) were more likely to want to be involved in these decisions than adults from the routine and manual operations classification (23%) and adults from the never worked and long-term unemployed classification (22%).

Index of multiple deprivation^{[footnote 3]}

There was little variability between the proportion of adults that wanted to be more involved in decisions made by their council that affect the local area across the index of multiple deprivation deciles.  Adults living in the third-lowest (third most deprived) decile (29%) were more likely to want to be more involved in decisions than adults living in the lowest (most deprived) and highest (least deprived) deciles (both 27%).

Population density

Adults living in urban areas (28%) were more likely to want to be more involved in decisions made by their council that affect the local area than adults living in rural areas (25%).

7.3 Geographical findings

Regional differences

Compared with the England average (28%), adults living in the North East, East Midlands, East of England, and South West (25% to 26%) ITL1 regions were less likely to want to be more involved in decisions made by their council that affect the local area. Those living in the London (33%) region were more likely to want to be involved  than the national average (see figure 7.1).

Local Authority differences^{[footnote 4]}

The proportion of adults wanting to be more involved in decisions affecting their local area was in line with the England average in 234 (79%) local authorities, higher than the England average in 23 (8%) local authorities, and lower than the England average in 39 (13%) local authorities.

The regional variations in the proportions of adults wanting to be more involved in decisions that affect their local area are also observed at the local authority (LA) level.

Figure 7.1: Levels of those that would like to be more involved in decisions affecting their local area, by region and local authority, England: 2023/24 (Base: All adults)

8. Enabling decision making

8.1 Ways to influence decisions affecting the local area

Respondents were presented with a potential list of ways in which they could influence decisions in their local area and were asked to select as many as applied to them. The most-commonly selected options (see figure 8.1) were ‘sign an online petition’ (47%), ‘contact the local council/council official’ (45%), ‘contact my local councillor’ (43%), and ‘contact my MP’ (38%). Whilst the order of most popular to least popular responses remains unchanged since 2021/22, the proportions have all decreased.

Figure 8.1: ‘If you wanted to influence decisions in your local area how would you go about it?’, England: 2023/24 (Base: Adults in subsample of approximately a third of online respondents)

8.2 What would make it easier to influence decisions affecting the local area?

The follow-up question asked respondents what would make it easier for them to influence decisions affecting their local area. The most popular responses in 2023/24 (see figure 8.2) were ‘if I knew what issues were being considered’ (44%), ‘if I could give my opinion online/by email’ (37%), ‘if the council got in touch with me and asked me’, and ‘if I had more time’ (both 30%). These were the same responses most selected in 2021/22, albeit in a slightly different order.

Figure 8.2: ‘What would make it easier to influence decisions in the local area?’, England: 2023/24 (Base: Adults in subsample of approximately a third of online respondents)

9. Social action

In the Community Life Survey, social action refers to involvement with issues affecting the local area by doing things like:

1. Setting up a new service/amenity

2. Stopping the closure of a service/amenity

3. Stopping something happening in the local area

4. Running a local service on a voluntary basis

5. Helping to organise a street party or community event

This definition of social action has been preserved here for legacy reasons, but the UK government currently defines social action as also including all volunteering, civic engagement, and charitable giving.

9.1 Headline findings

In 2023/24:

13% of adults reported being involved in social action at least once in the last 12 months, a slight increase of one percentage point from levels reported in 2021/22 (12%). 

Figure 9.1: Percentage of adults (16+) who had been involved in social action at least once in the last 12 months, England: 2013/14 to 2023/24 (Base: All adults)

9.2 Who engaged in social action?

Age

There was some variation in the proportion of adults of different ages that engaged in social action. Adults aged 65 to 74 (18%) and aged 75 and over (15%) were more likely to have been involved in social action at least once in the last 12 months than adults below the age of 65 (9% to 13%).

Disability Status

Disabled adults (14%) were slightly more likely to have been involved in social action at least once in the last 12 months than non-disabled adults (13%).

Sex

There were no differences observed in involvement in social action at least once in the last 12 months between male and female adults.

Gender identity ^{[footnote 1]}

Adults whose gender identity was different from their sex registered at birth (16%) were more likely to have engaged in social action at least once in the last 12 months than those whose gender identity was the same as their sex registered at birth (13%).

Sexual Orientation

Adults from the ‘other’ sexual orientation classification (26%) were more likely to have taken part in social action at least once in the last 12 months than adults from all other sexual orientation classifications (13% to 15%).  Bisexual adults (15%) were more likely to have engaged in social action than heterosexual or straight adults (13%).

Religion

There was some variation in the level of engagement in social action between adults from different religious groups, for example involvement in social action at least once in the last 12 months was more prevalent amongst Buddhist and Jewish adults (both 23%) compared to Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and non-religious adults (14% to 17%). Those from ‘any other’ religious group (21%) were also more likely to have engaged in social action than Hindu (14%), Christian (14%), Sikh (13%) and non-religious (11%) adults.

Ethnicity^{[footnote 2]}

Compared with the England average (13%), the proportion of adults that reported taking part in social action was higher for adults from the Arab (24%), Bangladeshi (20%), Irish (18%), ‘any other’ mixed or multiple ethnic background (17%), mixed White and Asian (17%) and Pakistani (15%) ethnic groups. Adults from the Chinese (9%) and ‘any other’ Asian background (10%) ethnic groups were less likely to report taking part in social action than the England average.

Socio-economic classification

Adults from the higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations (17%) were more likely to engage in social action at least once in the last 12 months than adults from all other socio-economic classifications (8% to 12%).  Adults from the routine and manual operations classification (8%) were less likely to have engaged in social action than adults from all other socio-economic classifications (12% to 17%).

Index of multiple deprivation^{[footnote 3]}

There was some variation in the level of engagement in social action between adults from different index of multiple deprivation deciles, for example adults in the lowest (most deprived) decile (9%) were less likely to have been involved in social action at least once in the last 12 months than those in the other nine deciles. 

Population density

Adults living in rural areas (18%) were more likely to have engaged in social action at least once in the last 12 months than adults living in urban areas (12%).

9.3 Geographical findings

Regional differences

Adults in the following regions were less likely to have engaged in social action at least once in the last 12 months than the England average (13%): North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, and West Midlands ITL1 regions (10% to 12%).  Adults in the London, South East and South West ITL1 regions (14% to 15%) were more likely to have engaged in social action than the national average (see figure 9.2).

Local Authority differences^{[footnote 4]}

Engagement in social action at least once in the last 12 months was in line with the England average for adults in 185 (63%) local authorities, higher than the England average in 64 (22%) local authorities, and lower than the England average in 47(16%) local authorities, although some of these differences were small. 

In general, the patterns of engagement in social action in the last 12 months are also observed at the local authority (LA) level. However, there were some exceptions:

Engagement in social action was lower than the England average in the North West (12%) ITL1 region, but higher than the England average in the North West local authorities of Westmorland and Furness (18%), Lancaster (18%), Wyre (17%), Ribble Valley (16%) and Cheshire East (16%).

Engagement in social action was lower than the England average in the Yorkshire and the Humber (12%) ITL1 region, but higher than the England average in the Yorkshire and the Humber local authorities of Bradford (18%) and North Yorkshire (16%).

Engagement in social action was lower than the England average in the East Midlands (12%) ITL1 region, but higher than the England average in the East Midlands local authorities of Rutland (25%), Derbyshire Dales (23%) and Harborough (21%).

Engagement in social action was lower than the England average in the West Midlands (12%) ITL1 region, but higher than the England average in the West Midlands local authorities of Malvern Hills (18%), Stratford-on-Avon (18%) and Shropshire (16%).

Engagement in social action was higher than the England average in the South East (14%) ITL1 region, but lower than the England average in the South East local authorities of Crawley (7%), Southampton (9%), Portsmouth (9%), Gosport (9%) and Maidstone (9%).

Engagement in social action was higher than the England average in the South West (14%) ITL1 region, but lower than the England average in the South West local authorities of Plymouth (9%), Swindon (9%) and Gloucester (9%).

Figure 9.2: Engagement in social action in the last 12 months, by region and local authority, England: 2023/24 (Base: All adults)

1. Patterns were identified in Census 2021 data that suggest that some respondents may not have interpreted the gender identity question as intended, notably those with lower levels of English language proficiency. Analysis of Scotland’s census, where the gender identity question was different, has added weight to this observation. More information can be found in the ONS sexual orientation and gender identity quality information report, and in the National Statistical blog about the strengths and limitations of gender identity statistics ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸

2.   The Community Life Survey is a sample survey, so estimates are subject to an associated sampling error that decreases as the sample size increases. To avoid reporting on estimates that are not sufficiently robust a threshold has been applied whereby estimates are excluded from the written analysis if they have an unweighted base size of 100 or less. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸

3. Analysis of the Index of Multiple Deprivation was conducted using deciles. These range from group 1, the most deprived decile, to group 10, the least deprived decile. In some instances, the analysis refers to a group by number e.g. ‘group 8’, in this case the third least deprived decile. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸

4. The 2023/24 Community Life Survey collects over 170,000 responses, so confidence intervals are generally very narrow. Whilst this reflects a strength of the data, when highlighting differences, some local authorities may be shown to be above/below the England average, but are only a percentage point more/ less than the average. There will be other local authorities who are much more above or below the England average, but will both be shown in the same shading within the map. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹

5. ‘White British’ incorporates anyone who self-identifies their ethnicity as White English, Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish, or British ↩ ↩² ↩³

6. In 2021/22, the option ‘depends on the issue’ was presented alongside the options ‘Yes’ and ‘No’, whereas in the years 2016/17 to 2020/21 the options ‘Yes and ‘No’ were presented, and then the respondent could click onto the next page for more answer options. This change is likely to have increased the number of respondents selecting ‘depends on the issue’ in 2021/22 compared to previous years, however it is less clear how this would have impacted the other two response options. ↩